Improvement in wardrobe-bedsteads



UNITE STATES JOHN H, HoasFALL,

PATENT orrroe.

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN WARDROBE-BEDST EADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 177,941, dated May 30, 1876; applicationfiled' March 6, 1876.

adapted to serve as the sides of a bed whenextended, and to be coiled or wound up in said grooves or guides in the lower portion of the side panels of the wardrobe on being pushed in by hand, or, by any suitable force. I connect the sections by metal plates and pins, thus forming a side rail capable of bend ing freely in the proper direction to coil within the base of the-wardrobe.

I can make each of the several sections extend-continuously across the bed; but in What I esteem the most complete form of the invention there should be a chain of shortsections on each side of the bed, these sections being strongly hinged together with joints, as described, and being connected crosswise only at intervals by narrower cross-harsh These cross-bars can be dispensed with, as strain is on the webbing, connecting head and foot cross-pieces. I extend a series of flexible supports longitudinally between such jointed side rules, and mount thereon a mattress of good quality, adapted to serve permanently in this connection, being of sufficient thickness to make, in connection with longitudinal supports below, a satisfactory bed, either with orwithout an additional mattress, and of so little thickness as to allow of being coiled up on the forcinginward of my bed into the Wardrobe.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means for carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section,

with the bed drawn out. Fig. 1 represents a portion detached, on a larger scale, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a plan view and horizontal section. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the lower portion, with the bed pushed in. It shows the mattress, with the bed-clothing packed therewith. Fig. 4 is.

a corresponding section near the side of the structure. it shows the series of sections or chains at the side, with the mattress beyond.

Similar letters indicate like arts in all the 'A is the upper and main portion of the wardrobe, which should, for appearance and for use, be somewhat narrower than the lower portion A which is necessarily of -considerations, D, with their pins d, and strong con.- nectin'g-links d, form'what I .term a chain of sections, the sections being formed after the manner of jointed rules, so that the chain is stiff in one direction and free in the other. A? is a vertical piece, which is, preferably, paneled and ornamented in imitation of a bureau front. It forms the front of the lower portion A of the wardrobe when the bedstead is forced in, and forms the foot of the bed when drawn out. The shelf or ofl'set A at the junction of the parts A and A of the wardrobe may be hinged and turned up against the front of the part A when the bed is drawn out and adapted for use, or it may remain rigidly fixed.

The cross-bars D connect the two lines of sections or chains'at intervals longitudinally. Strips of webbing D, or analogous flexible material, extend from the cross-bar D at the foot to the cross-bar D? at the head of the bed. The head cross-bar D has stops d which engage with the fixed stops at in the wardrobe, and determine the extent to which the bed may be drawn out.

The cross-pieces D are of a less height than the straight piece or section D, and the mattress E sinks a good part within the space between the two chains or sets of sections D.

1 propose to form transverse grooves on the under face of each section D, and to provide a transversev shaft in the positions represented by M, fitting upon the shaft two pinions, which gear with the grooved bottoms of the sections. ()11 turning the shaft M by a crank or other suitable means, the motion of the bed inward or outward may easily be effected, by reason of the small diameter of the pinions or gear wheels, and with this addition the bed may be operated with ease by a weak person, as a woman. or a child. The bed, however, can be used without this.

I provide the movable front piece A with easily-running casters, but the main part of .the wardrobe remains on the floor without casters, so that it offers resistance when the bed \is drawn out. A' thin but sufficiently soft and elastic mattress, to serve either as a bed alone or. as an under bed for a further separate mattress, is represented by E. It is secured to the cross-piece D at the foot, and

to the cross-piece vD at the head. It may also, if desired, be attached to the sections D atthe sides; but Iesteem it preferable, on account of, occasional Want of harmony in the coiling, that;the sides of the mattress be left independent of the section D. 1 I

G represents blankets or other bed-clothin g or pillows, which are stored in the space in the interior of the coil when the bed is forced in. These important adjuncts of the bed will be depositedi'in proper position for packing when the bed is pressed in sofar that the chain formsabou't a half circle, open against the foot-board.

-By my invention the bed occupies only the lower poition or base of the wardrobe, and the entire upper portion is left free for its ordinary uses. coiled more than two feet of the .height, and also about two feet in depth.

The upper portion A of the wardrobe may be formed in any ordinary'or suitable manner. I propose, where the expense will be warranted, to make it'in the manner set forth inmy patent for dressing cases, obtained J une 8, 1875.

I claim as my invention+ 1. The side pieces, having spiral grooves a, in combination with a bed or bed-support, coiling and nncoiling, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

2. The combination, with the bed or bedsupport, of flexible chains or sections, with rule-joints, with the foot-support A and'with the spiral grooves or guides a of the wardrobe A, as and for the purposes herein specified.

3. The combination of the mattress E, fiexible strips D, rule-jointed sections or chains 1), cross-bars D the foot A with each other I and with the wardrobe A A, having internal grooves a! and stops a, all substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

4, The combination of the mattress E with a flexible jointed support therefor, to which it is permanentlyattached,and with the wardrobe.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of March, 1876, in the 1 presence of two subscribing witnesses.

.Witnesses:

J NO. L. DIBBLE, O. G. S'rE'rsoN.

The bed need not occupy when JOHN ilnonsnALt; 

